A vacuum cleaner is the must-have item that no household should ever be without, particularly those with pets, children, allergy sufferers, or carpeting, which includes just about all of us. Choosing such a frequently used appliance definitely takes careful consideration, and with the high prices of most everything today, it is even more important to do your homework and find the best value vacuum cleaners for your hard earned money.



Vacuum Cleaners and Getting the Most for Your Money

Despite the many brands and wide varieties of vacuum cleaners available, it really is not that difficult to find the most ideal one for your needs as well as the important matter of your budget. Overall price in relationship to the number of extra features or attachments the model has is one of the first things to consider, as it really makes no sense to buy a vacuum cleaner that has attachments you will not ever use.

Be sure to read plenty of reviews on vacuum cleaners in order to see exactly what consumers who already own the models think of their suction power, performance and value. If possible, do some vacuum cleaner comparisons on the ones you are interested in, or read consumer reports from those who have, and do not ever be shy about asking sales assistants to do demonstrations so you can see the vacuums in action.

How to Buy a Vacuum Cleaner

The next thing is to decide on the basic type of vacuum you would like to have, and then concentrate on the individual features next. Look for vacuum cleaners that are easy to handle and that you know you will be able to use on a regular basis if you are concerned with the heavy weight of some of the more powerful models. Consider a HEPA vacuum cleaner if you have allergies or pets. And remember, if you have very few areas of carpeting in your home, then you will want to choose the best vacuum cleaner for tile or hardwood floors instead.

There are seven different types of vacuum cleaners, each with their own benefits and possible disadvantages to consider and include the following:

- Backpack Vacuums: Convenient for vacuuming several areas but be sure you are able to handle the weight of the unit.

- Bagged or Bagless: Bagged or bagless is mostly a matter of personal preference as some prefer the ease of emptying a dust cup without needing to regularly purchase vacuum cleaner bags.

- Canister Vacuum Cleaner: The old reliable canister style vacuum has come a long way since its inception and most are rather powerful machines ideal for cleaning a variety of surfaces.

- HEPA Filter Vacuum Cleaner: HEPA filters help to clean the air and are an important feature to look for if you are concerned with air quality or have allergies or pets.

- Stick/Broom: Stick or broom style, as well as the smaller handheld vacuums are all great for quickly cleaning small spills and are easy to operate.

- Upright Models: A common type of vacuum that is ideal for carpeting but does not usually work well on steps.

Popular Brands of Vacuum Cleaners to Consider

Thankfully there are more than a few reputable brands of vacuum cleaners on the market to choose from, many of which have been around for decades and have proven the effectiveness of their products. Besides, if you are looking for old vacuum cleaner parts, chances are a more famous manufacturer will still carry those you need.

If you need vacuum cleaners that will last for several years and retain their power over time, some you may want to consider include those made by Dyson, which are excellent for households with pets, Hoover, a brand that has been around for quite some time, and of course, Kirby, a name that is synonymous with both high quality and customer service. Other reliable vacuum cleaners include models by Miele and LG, who each have several to choose from with technologies on the cutting edge of the vacuum industry.